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Vine and Dine

THE PARTY The who’s who of Maui, along with visiting oenophiles and winemakers from all over the world, arrived en masse at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, for the spectacular evening bash that’s become a signature of this long-running fete. THE PLAYERS Master sommeliers Michael Jordan, Chuck Furuya, Patrick Okubo and Roberto Viernes; chefs Peter Merriman and Jojo Vasquez; winemaker Gary Pisoni THE HIGHLIGHTS Clear skies and balmy weather greeted the excited crowd, which made its way to the picturesque Beach House Lawn. There, they were greeted by hundreds of wines and delectable bites prepared by Kapalua’s best eateries. Adding to the island atmosphere were the sensational big band sounds of Hawai‘i Island ensemble Kahulanui. Needless to say, the evening became rather festive as more bottles were opened. But the party wasn’t over when the Grand Tasting ended. Special invitees packed the after-party held at the former Banyan Tree. Photography by Jason Moore and Michael Arp